BlackHawk Pancake Holster Review

[snatchel]

Hey guys, I figured I would post a quick review of this budget OWB pancake holster size 4. Like a lot of CHL'ers, I figured at first that OWB would not work for me, and have only carried this way in the winter time with jackets and such. Well, I got this BlackHawk holster on a trade a month or so and have been test driving it since.

Overview:
It is what you would expect in a $20 nylon budget holster. Nothing fancy, the belt loops could use some extra attention, and it's not pretty to look at. But, it holds together just fine.

I am 5'6 and around 170 lbs, give or take.. so not a big guy. I just wanted to show my fellow small-stature CHL'ers that it is possible to OWB, it just takes a bit of testing. I carry a Glock 30 about 90% of the time, and this is no lightweight, tiny pocket gun. It's compact, but by no means is it small. It is thick and heavy, but an absolute pleasure to carry when fitted with a proper belt and holster. So it is possible to OWB in a t-shirt and shorts.

[barstoolguru]

it doesn't work well, way too much on the belt line that will show when you bend over or wind blows

[barstoolguru]

and the knife clip is a bad idea too

[WildBill]

Hey guys, I figured I would post a quick review of this budget OWB pancake holster size 4. Like a lot of CHL'ers, I figured at first that OWB would not work for me, and have only carried this way in the winter time with jackets and such. Well, I got this BlackHawk holster on a trade a month or so and have been test driving it since.

Overview:
It is what you would expect in a $20 nylon budget holster. Nothing fancy, the belt loops could use some extra attention, and it's not pretty to look at. But, it holds together just fine.

I am 5'6 and around 170 lbs, give or take.. so not a big guy. I just wanted to show my fellow small-stature CHL'ers that it is possible to OWB, it just takes a bit of testing. I carry a Glock 30 about 90% of the time, and this is no lightweight, tiny pocket gun. It's compact, but by no means is it small. It is thick and heavy, but an absolute pleasure to carry when fitted with a proper belt and holster. So it is possible to OWB in a t-shirt and shorts.

Thanks for the post snatchel. It looks like you would be properly concealed. My objection is the holster, itself. I know that this is a "budget OWB post", but I don't like a flimsy holster for two reasons. 1) the retention is going to depend on the tightness of your belt. 2) the ease and smoothness when drawing your Glock is also going to depend on the tightness of the belt. If the belt is tight enough to hold the gun securely, then it may be too hard to have a quick and smooth draw stroke. It looks like you have an instuctor-type belt. Those are a good choice for carry, since they are very easy to adjust.

I know that I am biased towards a stiff, non-collapsable leather or Kydex holster, but you asked for comments. BTW, I am not a small-stature guy and I carry OWB with a paddle holster.

[snatchel]

As far as it not being a good idea b/c when I bend over it would show: I don't bend over, I squat. Either way, if I print I don't see it as that big of a deal. I'm not doing anything illegal, so even if someone were to notice I was carrying...and that would be unlikely..no biggie. If I was super worried Bout printing, I'd carry a single stack 9 or a pocket gun.

The retention does depend on the tightness of my belt, but I carry with the belt over the holster for exactly that reason. It works remarkably well... Yesterday Fenster, a forum member here, and I were testing that holster vs an appendix rig I usually carry. Draw time avg. for the appendix was 1.2 seconds vs the appendix holster at about a 1.0 second avg. you would expect it to bind, but after multiple runs we didn't have the slightest snag problem.

You are right though, leather works well and definitely looks better. I have a bianchi OWB slide holster I use as well, worn the same way.

[snatchel]

and the knife clip is a bad idea too

Please explain why the knife clip is a bad idea. I can't come up with any reason at all why it would be.

[carlson1]

Thanks for the post snatchel. It looks like you would be properly concealed. My objection is the holster, itself. I know that this is a "budget OWB post", but I don't like a flimsy holster for two reasons. 1) the retention is going to depend on the tightness of your belt. 2) the ease and smoothness when drawing your Glock is also going to depend on the tightness of the belt. If the belt is tight enough to hold the gun securely, then it may be too hard to have a quick and smooth draw stroke. It looks like you have an instuctor-type belt. Those are a good choice for carry, since they are very easy to adjust.

I know that I am biased towards a stiff, non-collapsable leather or Kydex holster, but you asked for comments. BTW, I am not a small-stature guy and I carry OWB with a paddle holster.

99% only because I prefer leather and hate Kydex.

and the knife clip is a bad idea too

Please explain why the knife clip is a bad idea. I can't come up with any reason at all why it would be.

I would like to hear this as well.

[WildBill]

Thanks for the post snatchel. It looks like you would be properly concealed. My objection is the holster, itself. I know that this is a "budget OWB post", but I don't like a flimsy holster for two reasons. 1) the retention is going to depend on the tightness of your belt. 2) the ease and smoothness when drawing your Glock is also going to depend on the tightness of the belt. If the belt is tight enough to hold the gun securely, then it may be too hard to have a quick and smooth draw stroke. It looks like you have an instuctor-type belt. Those are a good choice for carry, since they are very easy to adjust.

I know that I am biased towards a stiff, non-collapsable leather or Kydex holster, but you asked for comments. BTW, I am not a small-stature guy and I carry OWB with a paddle holster.

99% only because I prefer leather and hate Kydex.

I don't hate Kydex, but I prefer leather also. I just mentioned it so I didn't appear prejudice.